Method and apparatus for severing a moving web



Sept. 13, 1966 D. RYAN 3,272,043

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SEVERING A MOVING WEB Filed 001:. 31, 1963 r 5 Sheets-Sheet .1,

INVENTOR DANAHEY RYAN BY 6. AGENT FIG-1 Sept. 13, 1966 D. RYAN 3,272,643

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SEVERING A MOVING WEB' Filed Oct. 31, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 BY fix; 6 AGENT Sept. 13, 1966 D. RYAN 3,272,043

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SEVERING A MOVING WEB Filed Oct. 31, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENT OR DANAHEY RYAN I AGENT vMQd M5 Sept. 13, 1966 D. RYAN 3,272,043

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SEVERING A MOVING WEB Filed Oct. 31, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR J DANAHEY RYAN BY Q AGENT Sept. 13, 1966 D. RYAN METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SEVERING A MOVING WEB Filed Oct. 31, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 AGENT United States Patent f 3,272,043 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SEVERING A MOVING WEB Danahey Ryan, Wilmington, Del., assignor to E. I. du

Pont de Nemours and Company, Wilmington, DeL, a

corporation of Delaware Filed Oct. 31, 1963, Ser. No. 320,419 9 Claims. (Cl. 83-24) This invention relates to a web handling device and, more particularly, to a device for cutting and handling a continuously moving web.

Many devices are known in the art for cutting continuously moving webs. The character of the web, however, can have a great effect on determining the suitability of the cutting devices for a particular application. For example, many devices are entirely unsuitable for handling and cutting continuously moving unexposed photographic cine film. The care that must be taken in handling the sensitive and easily-damaged emulsion surface of the latter presents special problems.

It has been found that the web cutting device of this invention is particularly well suited to cutting and handling continuously moving photographic cine film. It is also very well adapted to perform not only single cuts so as to separate the film into separate lengths but also is capable of performing double cuts together with the elimination of relatively short undesired sections, e.g., splice areas or areas where the perforations are missing or the emulsion is damaged. This device is suitably used in conjunction with other web handling devices. For example, the film as cut and delivered by the device of this invention is particularly adapted to be introduced to an automatic winding device where discrete film spools of certain length are wound. In addition, the device may be preceded by film perforators, key-numbering devices, footage counters, inspection devices and film splicers. Impulses from the latter three devices can be used to actuate the subject film cutting device to provide for automatic cutting into certain lengths and elimination of undesired sections.

It has been found that these and other important objects and advantages are accomplished in accordance with this invention which is particularly pointed out in the appended claims and is illustrated, in its preferred embodiments, in the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is an elevation view of the cutter device of this invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic isometric diagram showing the principal parts of the cutter device of this invention and their general arrangement.

FIG. 3 is a sectional elevation view of the interior of the cutter device of FIG. 1 taken along lines 3--3 of FIGS. 4 and 6.

FIG. 4 is a partial sectional plan view taken along line 44 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a partial sectional elevation view taken along line 55 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a partial sectional elevation view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing an arrangement of actuating components for the cutter device of this invention.

Referring now to the drawings, the web cutting device of this invention comprises a machine frame 10 having cutter rolls 11 and 12 mounted on parallel shafts 13 and 14, respectively, which are journaled in the frame 10 as shown in FIG. 5. The web 15 passes through the machine by entering around guide roll 16 and onto drive roll 17 which is powered by torque motor 18 coupled to shaft 19. Free-roll 20 is mounted on the machine 3,272,043 Patented Sept. 13, 1966 frame 10 just above drive roll 17 and is normally out of contact with the latter in the position shown by phantom lines 20'; it may, however, be moved into nip-roll contact with the drive roll 17 by means to be discussed below.

The web 15 then passes between the cutter rolls 11 and 12 without contact when the latter are not actuated. The cutter rolls 11 and 12 are generally cylindrical with their centers spaced on either side of the web at a distance equal to their radii; however, the outer elastomeric surfaces 21 and 22 of the cutter rolls are recessed or cut away in the region of the web when the rolls are at rest so that the Web has ample clearance to pass through without contact. In a preferred embodiment of this invention the knife rolls are coated with the elastomer for about 225 of the circumference of the knife rolls. The knife rolls have in their peripheries knife 11a and anvil 12a which are arranged so as to come into abutting contact on the center line between the two rolls to sever the film at the contact point.

The web 15 then passes around the bottom of roll 23 and is drawn from there to a windup station (not shown) or any other desired work station. The roll 23 is normally above and out of contact with drive roll 24 as shown by phantom lines 23' but may be moved into nip-roll contact by means to be subsequently described. Drive roll 24 is power driven and idles continuously.

The shafts 13 and 14 which carry the knife rolls are coupled together in a one-to-one ratio by gears 30 and 31 so that only one shaft 13 need be power driven to effect a cut. The gears 30, 31 are preferably of the helical type in order that they can be arranged to be adjusted axially through a small distance by a means not shown; thus axial adjustment of one of the gears will cause the rolls 11, 12 to be rotated slightly in respect to each other thereby effecting an adjustment in the alignment of the knife 11a and anvil 12a when they come into abutting contract. A power-driven jackshaft 32 is suitably journaled in the machine frame 10 and is driven by suitable means (not shown). The jackshaft 32 carries a pair of pulleys 33 and 34. Pulley 33 is engaged by belt 35 which also engages pulley 36. The latter is mounted on shaft 13 by means of a single revolution spring clutch 37 (of the type manufactured by Precision Specialties, Inc.). Although not illustrated in detail, the spring clutch has in its interior a spring which is either expanded or contracted, depending upon whether any pressure is exerted upon the exterior tangs 39 and 44. When the tangs are engaged the spring is in an expanded condition and is out of contact with a rotary member that rotates with pulley 36; when the tangs are released the spring contracts and grasps this member and transmits the rotative power from pulley 36 to shaft 13. Single revolution clutches are known in the art and any particular type may be used which selectively effects the engagement and free-wheeling of pulley 36 in a manner to be described. Thus, the spring clutch 37 permits pulley 36 to free-wheel about shaft 13 until actuated at which time the drive motion of jackshaft 32 is transmitted to shaft 13 to effect a cut.

Spring clutch 37 is actuated by an escapement mechanism 38. The exterior of the spring clutch is provided with a tang 39 which is engaged by the escapement pawl 40. A spring 41 located at the other end of the escapement arm keeps the pawl 40 normally engaged with the escapement arm and acts opposite to the solenoid 42. When the solenoid 42 is energized, pawl 40 disengages from tang 39. This disengagement causes the spring clutch to become actuated so that the drive imparted to pulley 36 drives shaft 13 rotating it about 320 until pawl 43 engages tang 44. Upon de-energization of the solenoid 42 the pawl 43 releases tang 44 and the clutch will index another 40 until tang 39 is again engaged by pawl 40. Solenoid 42 is tie-energized by the operation of switch 81 which is actuated by cam follower 82 riding on the cam '83 attached to shaft 14. This system provides a single revolution of shaft 13 without the possibility of overtravel. Because of the engagement of gears 30 and 31 a revolution of shaft 13 will cause a simultaneous rotation of the cutting rolls 11 and 12 to effect the cut. During rotation of the cutting rolls the elastomeric surfaces 21 and 22 will be in nip-roll engagement and will grasp and fordward the lead end of the severed web toward rolls 23 an 24.

Drive roll 24 is keyed to shaft 45 which is suitably journaled at its ends within the machine frame and .carries pulley 46. The latter is engaged by a belt 47 which is driven from the jackshaft 32 by a pulley 34. When the web is merely passing through the cutting device the web passes around roll 23 which is in position 23, out of contact with roll 24. Roll 23 is mounted on antifriction bearings on an eccentric end portion 48 of shaft 49 which is journaled in the machine frame 10 but does not rotate except as follows. Near the rear end of shaft 49 is a crank 50 which is keyed to the shaft and engages armature 51 of solenoid 52. When the solenoid 52 is energized the armature 51 moves upwardly and the crank 50 turns the shaft 49 bringing roll 23 downwardly into contact with roll 24 all as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 3 and 6. When rolls 23 and 24 are thus held in contact they receive the oncoming severed lead end of web 15 emerging from the nip or knife rolls 11 and 12 which are rotating in engagement. The rolls 23 and 24 are in close relationship to knife rolls 11 and 12 so that they positively receive the cut web 15 before the elastomeric portions of the knife rolls have separated from their grasp of the web. Thus, rolls 23 and 24 are located adjacent to the cutter rolls at a distance no greater than the length of the elastomeric outer edge of the cutter rolls located at a point immediately following the knife and anvil portion to the point where the elastomer is terminated to allow free passage of the film between the cutter rolls in the nonactivated position. The driving power of roll 24 serves to grasp the lead end of the web and forward it in the direction shown by the line 15 of FIG. 1 where it may be received by a web windup device or other work station.

Fastened to the front face of the frame 10, as seen in FIGS. 1 and 6, are three metal plates 90, 91, and 92 which have a thickness generally equal to the width of the rolls (e.g., 11, 12, 23) and which partially'shroud the rolls thus serving primarily to guide the leading end of a cut web if it should deviate from a desired path; i.e., the web does not normally touch these plates. These plate members comprise an upper plate 90, a lower left plate 91 and a lower right plate 92. The upper plate 90 shrouds part of the upper cutter roll 12 as well as a portion of the roll 23. The lower left plate 91 shrouds the lower cutter roll 11 and, together with the plate 90, forms a horizontal slot 93 through which an advancing web may pass; it may be seen (FIGURE 1) that both of the plates 90 and 91 are curved at the left to conform closely to the path of the cutter blades and both plates terminate in sharp edges next to the slot 93 the purpose of which is to peel the web 05 the cutter rolls, should it show a tendency to cling. The lower right plate 92 shrouds the roll 24. The facing vertical walls of the plates 91 and 92 are spaced from each other, forming an open channel 94.

The lower left plate 91 is chamfered near the slot 93 and within the chamfered face is an orifice 95 which is angled at about 60 to the web path and which orifice connects to an air passage 96 which, in turn, is connected to a valve 97 and thence to a source of air under pressure (not shown). When air is admitted by the valve, the orifice 95 will form a jet which will impinge on the lower side of the Web; thus, if the cut leading end of a web tends to deflect or to curl downward, the air jet will straighten it out and help to direct it toward the nip point of the rolls 23-24 by supporting the web on an air cushion. Above the channel 94and about midway between the plates 91 and 92 is a vertical orifice 98 which is drilled in the center of a shallow channel in the lower edge of the plate 90. This orifice 98 likewise connects to a passage 99, a valve 100 and a source of air (not shown); a jet formed by this orifice will deflect the web 15 downward and serves to eject discarded sections of the web, i.e., those which have been out twice by the cutters 11a and 12a. The discarded web (not shown) moves down through the channel 94 to a suitable waste receptacle (not shown). Located at the lower end of channel 94 is a driven roll 101 driven by a belt 102 which runs from an extension of roll 24 to surface 104 of roll 101. The ratio of diameters of roll 24 and surface 104 is such that the outer surface of roll 101 rotates about 15% faster than web 15 velocity. In close proximity to the surface of roll 101 are two Wire fingers 103 spaced laterally a distance of about /3 the width of the web 15 and fastened to plate 92. When a cut end of web 15 is directed down channel 94 by the air jet from orifice 98, the web 15 will be nipped between roll 101 and wire fingers 103 and thus will be urged downward and out of the channel 94.

The actuation of solenoids 42 and 52 as described earlier may be responsive to an impulse delivered by a suitable means, for example a footage counter 79. In the case where the latter is used, a specific length of film is passed through the device before severance after which another specific length is determined. The machine, however, is also capable of performing a double out which is useful for eliminating undesired portions of the film e.g., spliced sections or sampling the film. Roll 20 is situated to the left of the cutter rolls 11 and 12 and above drive roll 17. During normal operation roll 20 is normally out of contact with roll 17 in the position shown in FIG. 1 as 20'. Roll 20 is located on an eccentric end portion (not shown) of shaft 60 which is journaled within the machine frame 10 and has crank 61 attached thereto. Solenoid 62 actuates the crank 61 through its interconnected armature 63 in such a manner that when the solenoid 62 is energized shaft 60 is rotated bringing roll 20 into contact with roll 17. This arrangement of roll 20 is almost identical to that of roll 23 but it is only operated when the knife rolls 11 and 12 are to make a double cut.

When operating for a single cut, the knife rolls are energized by a triggering device such as footage counter 79. This energizes solenoids 42 and 52 which respectively cause the knife rolls to rotate and rolls 23 and 24 to come into contact. This impulse from counter 79 also causes valve 97 to open and allow a stream of air to flow through orifice 95. While the valve and both solenoids receive their impulse simultaneously, the air flow through orifice 95 has commenced and rollers 23 and 24 have come into contact before a cut by the knife rolls takes place. This is due to a slight time lapse before the knife rolls can rotate and cause a cut in the web. The knife rolls make only one revolution before switch 81 de-energizes solenoid 42. During this one revolution, the web was grasped between the knife rolls, cut, forced through slot 93, guided toward rolls 23 and 24 aided by the blast of air from orifice 95 and finally grasped between rollers 23 and 24 to be propelled to the next working station (not shown). Once the web is passed to the next working station, a web detector 78 senses the passage of the newly cut leading edge of web and then de-energizes valve 97 and solenoid 52.

The double cut or cut-out function of the cutter device involves at least one additional web sensing device from those used in the single cut procedure. A defect detector senses a defect in the web which energizes valve 100, time delay relay 77 and solenoids 42 and 62. The preceding sequence can also be initiated by a sensing device. (e.g., footage counter) which wouldgive a web sample from the double cut. Immediately roll contacts power guide roll 17, the knife rolls begin their rotation and an air blast flows from orifice 98. The defective web is cut and as the leading edge of the defective portion passes through slot 93, it is ejected through slot 94 by the air blast from orifice 98. Upon the appropriate lapse of time, the time delay relay 77 emits an impulse which turns off valve 100 and energizes the system in the same manner as footage counter 79 did in the preceding paragraph. The web is cut a second time and is passed through rollers 23 and 24 on to the next work station. The web detector 78 employed to sense the web after its passage from rollers 23 and 24 can be a light source and photoelectric tube which will give a signal when no web is passing thereby maintaining rolls 23 and 24 in an engaged position. Once the web is detected passing from these rollers their separation can be momentarily delayed to insure take-up of the web at the next work station (not shown) and then an impulse from the web detector can then separate rollers 23 and 24.

The impulses necessary to cause the cutter to perform a double cut together with actuation of solenoids 42, 52 and 62 can come from any suitable sensing device; for example, the operation of a splicing mechanism located upstream from the cutting unit can initiate the operation of a second footage counter which will send out appropriate impulses at the time the splice passes through the machine. A similar arrangement could be made using a defect sensing device, e.g., a missing perforation detector or a film scanning mechanism. During the double cut operation solenoid 62 is continuously energized and the impulse for effecting this may come from the defect or splice sensor 80. When a web sample is desired, a device (e.g. second footage counter) could be employed to initiate a double cut to coincide with the length of the normal cut for which the cutter is already set. In this manner, a cutter set for a certain length would make its normal cut and a second cut could be made to supply a sample of the web at this point. If the sample is only occasionally desired, a second footage counter could be used to take a sample at any time to coincide with the preset web cut, (e.g. every third preset cut, take a sample).

The web severing device of this invention has been found to be particularly effective for the handling and cutting of light-sensitive, easily damaged photographic cine film. The device effects the desired operation with a minimum of contact with the emulsion surface thereby minimizing abrasion and scratching of the film surface. The automatic cutting and defect elimination are highly useful particularly since the device must operate in the absence of light. Further, the device is especially suited for the introduction of freshly-cut lead ends onto windup mechanisms or the like.

What is claimed is:

1. A device for severing a web continuously passing therethrough which comprises a pair of cooperative cylindrical knife rolls each located on either side of said web at a distance equal to the radius of such knife roll, the surface of each knife roll adjacent the web in the non-actuated position of the knife rolls being partially recessed to permit the web to pass freely therebetween, said knife rolls having spring clutch means in association therewith, escapement means in engageable association with said spring clutch means, means for selectively engaging said escapement means with said spring clutch means, guide roll means about which the web is guided upon passing the knife rolls, and drive roll means for moving said web, said guide roll means being brought into rolling engagement with said drive roll means upon actuation of said knife rolls to engage the lead end of the severed web and advance it toward a work station.

2. A device as defined in claim 1 wherein supporting means are included between said knife rolls and said guide and drive roll means for carrying the lead end of said severed web into engagement with said drive roll and guide roll means.

3. In a device for severing a web continuously passing therethrough, a pair of cooperating knife rolls having an elastomeric circumference partially covering each roll, leaving a portion of each roll uncovered, the axis of each roll being located on opposite sides of the web at a distance equal to its radius, the rolls being situated in a position such that the uncovered surface portion of each roll is adjacent to one another thereby forming a recess for free passage of the web, guide roll means about which the web is guided upon passing said knife rolls, actuating means for rotating said knife rolls for one rotation to sever the web and advance the lead end of the severed web between the grip of said elastomeric surface, and drive roll means for moving said web, said guide roll means being brought into rolling engagement with said drive roll means upon actuation of said knife rolls to positively grasp the leading edge of the severed web before said elastomeric surface of said knife rolls release the severed web whereby said engaged drive roll and guide roll advance the web toward a work station, and means for detecting said web pass-age to said work station thereby disengaging said drive roll from said guide roll.

4. A device for severing a web continuously passing therethrough which comprises power guide roll means for said web adapted to be brought into rolling engagement with an adjacent free roll means when actuated by a web defect detector means; a pair of cooperative knife rolls and means for rotating said knife rolls to sever the web and advance the lead end of the severed web when actuated by said defect detector means; defiector means for ejecting said out web from said device when actuated by said defect detector means; a time delay means for emitting an impulse after a time lapse which initiates said knife rolls for a second cut and deactuating said deflector means; a supporting means for carrying the leading edge of said web after said second cut which is actuated by said time delay means; a guide roll means for said web adapted to be brought into rolling engagement with a drive roll means to accept said leading edge of web when actuated by said time delay means; and web detecting means for de-actuating both said engaged rolls means and said supporting means.

5. A device as described in claim 4 where said deflector means and said support means are streams of an.

6. A device for severing a web continuously passing therethrough which comprises (1) a defect detector means, (2) a power guide roll means and adjacent free roll means, adapted to be brought into rolling engagement with one another, (3) time delay means, (4) a pair of cooperating knife rolls with means for rotating said knife rolls for a single rotation, (5) web deflector means, (6) guide means adapted to be brought into rolling engagement with drive roll means and (7) web detector means, said device operating wherein said defect detector means emits an impulse which causes (a) said time delay means to be actuated, (b) said power guide means to come into rolling engagement with said adjacent free roll means and positively grasping said web and passing said web to said knife rolls, (c) said knife rolls to begin rotating to cut said web while grasping said web and moving it forward and (d) said web deflector means to eject said cut web from said device as said web passes from said knife rolls; said time delay means, after delaying the impulse from said defect detector, emits an impulse which causes, (e) said deflector to be turned off, (f) said knife rolls to out said web for a second cut while grasping said web and moving it forward, and (g) said guide means to come into rolling engagement with said drive roll means to receive said leading edge of said web from said knife rolls and pass it forward whereupon said web detector means emits an impulse which causes, (h) said power guide roll means and said engaged free roll means to separate, and (i) said guide roll means and said drive roll means to separate.

7. A method for severing a web while maintaining positive tension on the web which comprises (1) initiating (a) knife rolls located on each side of the web to begin rotation and (b) the engagement of a free running guide roll and power driven roll, (2) cutting said web while a firm grasp is maintained on said web by said knife rolls, (3) receiving the leading edge of said cut Web between said engaged guide roll and power driven roll and (4) disengaging said guide roll and power driven roll upon an impulse from a web detector which sensed the web after passage from said rolls.

8. A method for severing a web while maintaining positive tension on the web which comprises (1) initiating (a) knife rolls located on each side of the web to begin rotation and (b) the engagement of a free running guide roll and power driven roll, (2) cutting said web while a firm grasp is maintained on said web by said knife rolls, (3) supporting the leading edge of said cut web with an air cushion, (4) receiving the leading edge of said cut web between said engaged guide roll and power driven roll and (5) disengaging said guide roll and power driven roll upon an impulse from a web detector which sensed the web after passage from said rolls.

9. A method for removing a portion of continually passing web which comprises (1) initiating (a) a time delay switch, (b) power guide roll to engage a free moving roll with said web passing between and (c) knife rolls located on each side of the web to begin rotation, (2) cutting said web, (3) ejecting the leading edge of said out web, (4) signaling by said time delay for (a) said knife rolls to make a second cut, (1)) a drive roll to engage a free running guide roll and to cease said ejecting, (5) cutting said web for a second time (6) receiving the leading edge of said web after the second cut between said engaged drive roll and free-running guide roll and (7) disengaging both said engaged (a) power guide roll and free-moving roll and (b) drive roll and free-running guide roll.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,479,464 l/ 1924 Fuller 83371 2,219,682 10/ 1940 Doble 83-402 2,546,221 3/1951 Funk 83-156 2,877,612 3/1959 Berney 53-118 3,153,962 10/1964 Mercer 83-79 3,169,432 2/1965 Hofiman 83-371 References Cited by the Applicant UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,943,806 7/1960 Phelps.

WILLIAM W. DYER, IR., Primary Examiner.

I. L. SEITCHIK, F. T. YOST, I. M. MEISTER,

Assistant Examiners. 

8. A METHOD FOR SEVERING A WEB WHILE MAINTAINING POSITIVE TENSION ON THE WEB WHICH COMPRISES (1) INITIATING A (A) KNIFE ROLLS LOCATED ON EACH SIDE OF THE WEB TO BEGIN ROTATION AND (B) THE ENGAGEMENT OF THE FREE RUNNING GUIDE ROLL AND POWER DRIVEN ROLL, (2) CUTTING SAID WEB WHILE A FIRM GRASP IS MAINTAINED ON SAID WEB BY SAID KNIFE ROLLS, (3) SUPPORTING THE LEADING EDGE OF SAID CUT WEB WITH AN AIR CUSHION, (4) RECEIVING THE LEADING EDGE OF SAID CUT WEB BETWEEN SAID ENGAGED GUIDE ROLL POWER DRIVEN ROLL AND (5) DISENGAGED SAID GUIDE ROLL AND POWER DRIVEN ROLL UPON AN IMPULSE FROM A WEB DEDECTOR WHICH SENSED THE WEB AFTER PASSAGE FROM SAID ROLLS. 